FOREST villagers will spend a night in tents to raise money for, and awareness of, the plight of Syrian refugees.

Organisers of the event on Friday (September 18) at Brockweir hope that people from other parts of the Forest will join them.

It is hoped the night under canvas will lead to a greater understanding of the lives of those living in refugee camps and help keep up the pressure on political leaders to act on the crisis.

The event is being supported by Hewelsfield Church, Brockweir village shop, the local youth club and the Mackenzie Hall.

Organiser Carol Wilson said: “It started with a discussion at the local church about the refugee crisis, shortly before the tragic photographs of the drowned boy were published.

“I was concerned that there was a sense of inaction in the local community while relief efforts were underway in places like Gloucester and

Bristol.

“But as soon as I started talking about trying to take some action I began to receive offers of help and useful suggestions.

“We want to raise money but raising awareness is also very important.

“We have seen how the politicians have reacted to a change in public opinion so it is important we keep that pressure up.

“There has been a lot of negative publicity about migrants but I knew that when the British people saw real need they would react.”

Tents will be erected on the playing field next to the village shop from 9am on Friday and it is hoped as many as possible will stay overnight.

Mrs Wilson added: “However, if someone wants to play a part but has other commitments, they can put up the tent and leave a teddy bear in the doorway to show they’ll be back.”

The village shop will provide a sausage butty breakfast on the Saturday morning and toilet facilities.

As well as raising money through the sponsored camp, there will be a bucket for donations in the shop and an appeal for on-line pledges.

Money raised from a Just Giving web page will go to Syria Relief, while pledges for Gloucester Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers or the Red Cross can be made using Give.net.

Sponsor forms and information are also available from the village shop.

Three local councils, Forest of Dean district, Gloucestershire county and Monmouthshire county, all welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement that Britain would take 20,000 Syrian refugees over the next five years.

Forest Council leader Patrick Molyneux (Con, Woolaston and Hewelsfield) said: “While the government has announced plans to resettle more refugees from Syria, details of plans to achieve this have yet to be published.

“We will wait for the publication of these plans before deciding how best to proceed but the council will ensure it plays its full part in supporting this national response.”

Councillor Ray Theodoulou (Con Fairford and Lechlade), deputy leader of the county council, said: “I was deeply moved by some of the images we’ve seen recently, as I know many other people were.

“This is a national issue, and, as always, Gloucestershire County Council will work with the government to make sure we play our part in any plan they develop.”